Objective: The aim of this study is to report our experience of causes of newborn and infant nasal obstruction.
Methods: Four cases (3 newborns, 1 infant) of nasal dyspnea are reported. For each of them, background circumstances, diagnostic and therapeutic methods and outcomes are reported. Based on a review of the literature, the main causes of nasal obstruction and their treatments are discussed.
Results: In all cases, the diagnosis was made by the rhinoscopy with an endoscope and CT-Scan. Choanal atresia, infectious rhinitis, bilateral lacrymo-nasal cyst and nasopharyngeal hamartoma were diagnosed, and associated with respiratory distresses or difficulties in feeding. The treatment consisted of simple removal of the nasopharyngeal hamartoma, marsupialization for the lacrymo-nasal cysts, antibiotherapy and stenting for a few weeks for the infectious rhinitis and permeabilization by puncture and stenting for the choanal atresia. The outcome was successful in all cases.
Conclusion: Newborn and infant nasal dyspnea is a serious disease. This study underlines the importance of efficient and rapid management. Knowledge of the possible causes grouped in three categories--malformative, tumoral and infectious--is mandatory to make the appropriate choice.